Can’s Germany are also grouped with a Chile side spearheaded by Alexis Sanchez and Cameroon while the other group features hosts Russia who beat New Zealand in the tournament opener on Saturday, along with Portugal and Mexico.

German coach Joachim Low has opted to take a fairly young squad to navigate the tournament, leaving out the likes of Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels, Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus and Jerome Boateng due to either injury or need for a rest.

The absence of Kroos, in particular, could open up a number of opportunities for Can to play in his favoured central midfield role – he’s been used as a right back internationally of late.

Despite the relative inexperience of this German squad, they remain favourites to win the tournament and if this is the case, it means Can will once again miss the start of Liverpool’s pre-season.

Germany wrap up their group games on June 25th, then the semi-finals take place on June 28 and 29 while the final is not until July 2nd. Can would then be given three weeks off – such is protocol – meaning he would most likely not return until the commencement of the Audi Cup at the end of July.

Can is yet to sign a new contract with the club with his current contract running out at the commencement of next summer. The ECHO reports that earlier indications in the Italian media suggest that the midfielder had agreed a new £100,000 a week deal were premature.